Wants But Can't Haves #1

As with everyone that has been infected with the capitalist virus of consumption, I want things. Like a good consumer I want to buy the things I want, yet more often than not I am faced with one major obstacle in my way: the lack of money. Not only am I a student but I'm also on my year abroad in Montpellier - which let me tell you is not cheap, so my purse strings have been a little tighter than usual meaning I am left drooling on shop floors. In a bid to share my pain I thought I would introduce this feature entitles 'Wants But Can't Haves' - here's part one.

Urban Outfitters Cord Dress 

ASOS Desert Boots

Silver Elephant Ring 

Zara Blanket Scarf

Topshop Black Baxter Jeans

Urban Outfitters trapeze Dress 

Office Uphill Desert Boots 

Motel Rocks White Shirt

Because if only I had a helmet like that then I could pretend I had all these things. 

 

Denim Jacket and Doc Martins.

Denim Jacket - Charity Shop

Cardigan - Charity Shop

Dress - H&M

Scarf - From a Friend

Necklace - eBay

Doc Martins - eBay

These pictures are dark and grainy as hell, and I regret the day I broke my camera forever more; but I actually don't mind these photos. In fact, I think I quite like them. And you know what? - I'm just gonna go ahead and say it like a filthy hipster - I like the vintage-y feel, that it looks like I have laced them with three different filters and have added a dusty texture; just so they look like they came out of a rusting box in an attic somewhere. When in reality I only took these photos a couple days ago and didn't overlay a single filter. I guess that's the magic of a shitty camera (Iphone), dodgy lighting and the ability to use the brighten/contrast tool in photoshop (thank goodness). 

I feel this has been the first outfit that I've posted with a real 'autumn feel' which I think is, not only down to the tights, but to layering. Autumn to me is all about dem layers. It's not quite cold enough to crack out the winter coat and not quite warm enough that a cardigan will suffice which, evidently, results in the birth of lovely layers. I was quite glad I wore layers in this outfit as the day turned out to be rather warm so my scarf promptly went in my bag and I had to carry my jacket. It seems I am forever waiting for the weather to turn here in Montpellier. 

This scarf is fabulous, however, and I am sure it will get all the admiration it deserves come winter. It was also completely free as I managed to nab it when one of my friends was having a wardrobe clear out. I am magically always around whenever my friends are de-cluttering their wardrobe and subsequently I end up scoring some awesome items for free. Perhaps I just ooze an I-want-your-clothes-give-me-your-clothes aura.

I was planning on filming another video (cos we all know how good the last one was, lol) but I have suddenly become bunged up with a cold and sound like a frog has taken up residence in my throat. I am hoping I will be able to film something before I fly to England next week which I am really looking forward to 1) because I get to see my boyfriend again after two month and 2) for Halloween, durr. 

Thank you for your awesome comments on my last post, it was great hearing your opinions on recycling clothes and whatnot. Keep being cool and rad. 

Because I have been listening to a lot of Nirvana lately. (Obviously I am still a rebellious moody teenager). 

Flea Market Bag and Charity Shop Dress.

Dress - Charity Shop

Bralet - New Look

Cardigan - Charity Shop

Bag - Flea Market

Shoes - Office

Socks - Primark

I've said this before, but, I do really love it when outfit is almost entirely second hand from either a charity shop, car boot or flea market ect. There is just something about second hand clothes that I will always love. I enjoy the fact that I am able to wear a completely unique outfit and also that buying and wearing secondhand clothes is, actually, a form of recycling. By buying second hand you not only add unique quality pieces in your wardrobe for a cheaper price but you're also helping the environment. Just think about how much energy, money and fossil fuels must be needed to make new clothes for every single trend and season, every single year. It's mad. It's one of the reasons why I have never been a fan of disposable fashion or never wholly committed myself to passing trends. They do say, after all, that fashion is a cycle. You might as well hold onto items that were on trend a few years ago instead of buying them again when they next make a fashionable return. 

We live in a world where being wasteful is the norm, where anything that gets a slight defect is thrown out immediately. How about instead of throwing out that dress with a broken zip you take the time to repair it? Instead of wishing your maxi dress was a mini just chop it? I'm a firm believer in that if you don't like something then change it. But what if you just really don't want the item anymore? When I do want to de-clutter my wardrobe I go through a series of stages to ensure that I'm contributing to landfills as little as possible:

1 - Rehome: First thing I do when I have gotten bored of an item is ask if any of my friends or family would like to take it off my hands. This is one of my favourite ways to get rid of clothes as it is so nice to see people enjoying an item that you once enjoyed yourself. It's also cool to see them rocking it in a way you would never have thought of - this usually leads to me borrowing it back off them to wear it in a similar way, haha. With this idea you can also host a clothes swap party where you all bring items you no longer want and swap them for ones you do want. I've gotten so many new items in my wardrobe thanks to this. 

2- Sell: If none of your friends and family want anything you have to offer (ungrateful gits, haha) then you always have to option of selling them and making a bit of dollar. Personally I love using eBay because it is so easy to use and secure as payments go straight into your Paypal. Don't be disheartened, however, if your items don't sell for millions - I always put things up at 99p and more often than not they don't go for much more than that. You aren't just limited to eBay though! You can use Etsy, Depop, MusicMagpie (yes they take clothes) and loads of other websites besides these. You could even sell them at a car-boot if you fancy it. 

3 - Donate: So again I am faced with items that no one wants but I don't give up there, I donate. I make sure all the items that I do donate are in good condition and clean before bagging them all up and heading over to my fave charity shops. You could also use those charity bags that you get in the post and just leave the bag outside your door.  

4 - Recycle: This is similar to donating but more for those items that are in such bad condition they are beyond repair. I'm talking holey socks, stretched white T-shirts with sweat stains, those disgusting joggers that you could never get the pizza stains out of - things that reverted to being lounge wear but have even surpassed that. These things can still be put some use by being donated as fabric instead of clothes at various recycling centres. They are then used as cleaning cloths or turned into fibers for things like upholstery and the such like. 

5 - Bin: If all else fails you can bin and I am willing to forgive you - But - only if it's as a last resort. 

So, I really didn't mean this post to turn out like this but I quite enjoyed writing it. I hope I have inspired a few of you out there to think twice before lift up the bin lid. Also, want to know the best bit? This doesn't just apply to clothes - You can use these steps for absolutely anything when it comes to de-cluttering. Waste not want not. 

Because I couldn't find a song about recycling. 

Black Skinny Jeans and Borrowed Belts.

T-Shirt - Charity Shop

Shirt - Vintage

Jeans - H&M

Convers - eBay

Belt - Borrowed from a friend

Necklaces - Both eBay

I am currently watching the 1951 version of 'A Christmas Carol' for a cinema module that I'm doing here in Montpellier. I'm watching number 3 out of the 6 (yes 6) versions that I'm obliged to yawn my way through and there's only so much I can take - it's not even Christmas. So with it playing the background I thought I would write a little post for you lovely people. 

Remember that haul video I made all that time ago? Well these are the black skinny jeans that I featured in it and, although I am glad of their presence in my wardrobe, I am still on the hunt for the perfect pair. This pair are just, well, a bit lacking. First of all, they're too big. By too big I mean I panicked at the last minute that my arse wouldn't wriggle in and so bought them 4 sizes too big. With a belt the jeans look ok, but it's not the first time I've misjudged my butt. Perhaps in my head I have a butt like Nicki Minaj - I should ask her where she gets her jeans from. Secondly, as well as a gaping waist, these jeans are far too long in the leg. However, I am not sure if this counts as a real reason for the jeans being poo as I am a midget and forever destined to rock a turn up anyway. Finally - and this is a biggie -  literally everything sticks to them it looks like I have been rolling around in a sheep pen. When I wear these jeans I also wear all the fluff known to man. Continuously picking at my legs is not a good look. 

And yet, I am still wearing them aren't I? Well, I am not one to waste clothes, nor do I have a disposable income to replace them with the Topshop baxters I have my eye on just yet. Speaking of shopping, I did manage to get up early enough this past Sunday to venture to the flea market in Mosson with my friends. I am planning on putting together another haul video as I really enjoyed filming and editing the last one. I found so many amazing things including a couple belts. You may have noticed the lovely one that I am wearing here, but unfortunately it's not mine and could only grace my hips for a short while. That's the bitter sweet beauty of having friends with good taste in fashion - you can borrow their clothes but you have to give them back... eventually.

As always I hope you guys are well and have a lovely week ahead. Thanks for reading and commenting - if you leave a link to your blog I will always give it a read and a possible cheeky comment back. 

Because my friend introduced this to me and I can't stop listening. 

Denim Skirt and Orange Shirt.

Crop Top - Present (ASOS)

Skirt - Primark 

Belt - Vintage

Converse - Ebay 

Sorry these pictures are so dark, I tried to lighten them a tad but there is only so much photoshop can do with a bad picture. Safe to say I am starting to miss my camera. My camera was a pile of poop but at least it worked and my pictures were half decent. I'm thinking of getting a decent DSLR and actually spending a bit of money on it but endlessly browsing the internet is giving me a headache. Camera lingo is not my forte. 

On a brighter note, I'd like to admit my love for Thursdays. I love Thursdays because I have no classes and can enjoy the luxury of a lie in and today was no exception. I woke up naturally and enjoyed a cup of tea whilst people watching out of my balcony. I then headed off with my friend to a small market near me to pick up some fresh fruit and veg - and of course I couldn't live in France and not buy a baguette too. I've been to the market pretty much every week since getting here as it is ten times cheaper than the supermarkets and ten times nicer. One of the guys on the stall has even started giving me free parsley every time I go too.

This outfit is actually from a few days ago as I'm a little behind with my posting (sorry). This lovely little crop top was one of the first in my ever growing collection and I'm surprised it is still as good as new considering how much I bloody wore it. The denim skirt was a favourite for me this summer so I don't know why it has taken so long for it to get its 15 minutes of fame on my 'ere blog. Admittedly it is from Primark, which I do try to avoid for obvious reasons, but I knew it would be a perfect transitional piece from summer to autumn. I can't wait to pair it with jumpers and knee high socks. 

I will try to keep this blog more updated and my posts less sporadic. Hopefully by Christmas I will have a lovely new camera but until then my Iphone and photoshop will have to do. Hope you are all having a fab Thursday just like I am. 

If you listen to this song when you wake up your day is guaranteed to be good.